Page 21 of Pucks and Coffee

“Anything I can do to help you decide?”

I shrug, feeling a little unsteady about everything. It’d be easy to just say yes, go in blindly. I debate it, but then I ask, “What will this year look like for us? I mean, how do you see this working?”

I glance over to see him biting the inside of his cheek. He thinks for a moment, really considering my words before he answers. I appreciate that. “In a perfect world, it’d be easy. We’d become close friends, respect each other. When I’m not playing hockey, I’d train you and we’d enjoy each other’s company. I don’t know, McDavid. I’ve never been in a relationship, so I’m unsure what else I’d want.”

While I want those things too, I’d want more. “And this will end in a year?”

“Yes. I should get where I need to by next season, and if not, we can discuss if we want to extend it.”

His tone is so businesslike, it’s making me uneasy. “You have no intention of staying married, correct?”

His brows furrow, his lips pressing together. “Correct. This is a means to an end for both of us.”

So cold. Jeez. “Why don’t you just hire someone to marry you?”

“Because I want it to be believable,” he says quickly, and then he lets out a breath. “I trust you, and I know you won’t get in the way of my goals. You won’t demand anything from me. You’re not like that.”

I scoff. “You don’t even know me.”

“I do, though,” he says simply. “You come in every day. We chat, and even though the town tries to dislike you guys, they never say anything bad about you.”

I bring my lip between my teeth. “You’re right, I won’t get in the way. But what if we develop feelings for each other?”

“Won’t happen,” he says simply. Confidently. And it does nothing for my confidence. He apparently isn’t affected by me like I am by him. I don’t like how that makes me feel. “I don’t want anything more than a friendship.”

Now, I’m pissed. “When you asked me out, it wasn’t because you were attracted to me, but because you need me to do this.”

His jaw ticks. “You’re a gorgeous woman, McDavid. There is no denying that. But yes, it was for this.”

“So, if I say no, there will be no future for us?”

He looks over at me. “There is no future now,” he says simply. “I only need a year, and if you say no, I have to find a different wife. As much as I do enjoy your company, I can’t spend time with you when I have to find someone to marry me.”

His honesty is refreshing, even if it does feel like he’s stabbing me in the gut. “Okay. What about outside relationships?” Not that I plan to have one, but I want to make sure he doesn’t plan to either.

His gaze whips to me, and I’m surprised he doesn’t break his neck. “There will be no outside relationships. For either of us,” he demands, his voice low and dangerous.

My pussy whines for him, wanting desperately for him to say that while he’s buried inside me. His eyes are dark, heat flaring deep within them, and yeah, I like that answer. A lot. It feels intimate, but that can’t be. He doesn’t want anything more than a wife on paper. A friend.

Can I do that? Can I just be his friend? I know I can, but I also know I could fall deeply for him. I’ve always been attracted to him, and I want him. Badly. Which scares me. Being around him daily? Working beside him? Sleeping beside him? Existing with him? I’ll fall. I know I will. And he’ll walk away.

Because he doesn’t want this.

He doesn’t want me.

CHAPTER 13

Coleson

The question hangs between us, but I don’t think either of us will ask it.

This isn’t going the way I wanted it to. I wanted her to just say yes—boom, bam, married, and I’m on my way to the NHL. I hadn’t expected her to ask me what I wanted from this. Or even what about outside relationships. I’ll be damned if she is gonna cheat on me. Even if it is a marriage of convenience, she’s mine. Er. I mean, she’ll be mine. My wife.

Jesus Christ on a cracker.

I look out at the horizon as the sun rises over the mountains ahead, trying desperately to calm my thoughts and my breathing. It’s beautiful and, honestly, my favorite time to hike. It cracks me up that she truly thinks a bear will come for her. She’s so damn cute. A grin pulls at my lips, though I don’t let it form.

While this view is picturesque, nothing compares to the beauty who stands beside me. I glance over as we walk, taking in her red cheeks and how she has her drink in a death grip. She’ll probably hurl it at a bear, or me, so she can get away to let me get eaten.

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